Progressive Voices

Are Fat People Really To Blame? | Southwest Airlines, Incivility & America’s Compassion Crisis ✈️ Southwest Airlines is requiring plus-sized passengers to buy two seats so they “don’t spill over.” But here’s the real question: why not just design a few rows of larger seats? Instead, society blames fat people for being fat, ignoring the bigger issue — an industry and culture that lack compassion. This episode of the Karel Cast digs into more than just airline seating. From body shaming to public incivility, America is in a compassion crisis. Insults fly daily, strangers fight over parking spots, and violence erupts over the smallest things. Is Trump to blame for fueling division, or is there something deeper and darker behind our collective lack of civility? 👉 Join the conversation that matters. Don’t forget to like 👍, share 🔁, comment 💬, and subscribe 🔔 to keep this dialogue alive. The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms. #AreFatPeopleToBlame, #SouthwestAirlines, #BodyShaming, #ObesityStigma, #AirlineSeats, #Incivility, #CompassionCrisis, #AmericanCulture, #TrumpEra, #CurrentEvents, #TrendingNow, #BreakingNews, #KarelCast, #DailyShorts, #SubscribeNow, #LikeAndShare, #StayInformed, #PoliticalTruth, #CulturalCommentary, #TruthMatters

I Want More Than Rainbow Sidewalks | Equal Rights, Not Empty Gestures 🌈🇺🇸 Florida and other states are painting over rainbow sidewalks — but here’s the truth: LGBTQ+ Americans don’t need symbolic gestures. We need equal rights, protection under the law, and an economy that works for everyone. This episode of the Karel Cast calls out politicians like DeSantis who focus on erasing symbols instead of fixing real problems. Equality isn’t about sidewalks or flags — it’s about being treated like any other American, without discrimination, and with the same protections, opportunities, and dignity. From LGBTQ+ rights to women’s rights, racial justice, and immigrant protections — every group deserves more than performative politics. We need action, not symbols. 👉 Join the conversation, share your voice, and don’t forget to like 👍, comment 💬, subscribe 🔔, and share 🔁 to keep this message alive. The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel. Catch it live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST and on demand across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Media, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. #LGBTQRights, #EqualityForAll, #StopDeSantis, #RainbowSidewalks, #EqualRights, #JusticeMatters, #PoliticalTruth, #HumanRights, #WeAreAllAmerican, #EndDiscrimination, #PerformativePolitics, #CivilRights, #YouTubeShorts, #TrendingNow, #DailyShorts, #SubscribeNow, #LikeAndShare, #KarelCast, #TruthMatters, #StayInformed

Start Living or Get to Dying: The Fight for America’s Future | Karel Cast 25-113 America feels stuck in a downward spiral—dictatorship knocking at the door, a Congress and Supreme Court unwilling to stop it, and citizens paralyzed by the nonstop barrage of criminality and chaos. But survival isn’t enough—we must actually live. So what do we do when it feels like every action ends in futility? What can liberal Americans do when democracy feels broken? The answer is clear: start living, or get to dying. And I’m not ready to go—are you? Today on The Karel Cast, we’ll confront this reality head-on, talk about how to move forward despite the madness, and find ways to reclaim life in the middle of America’s political storm. 👉 Watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel 👉 Support the show at patreon.com/reallykarel 🎧 The Karel Cast is heard on all streaming platforms—Apple Music, iHeart, Spotify, Spreaker, and more. 📺 Live every Monday–Thursday, 10:30 AM PST. Also on TikTok & Instagram. Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer currently in Las Vegas with his service dog Ember.

Spain battles its worst wildfire season --- yes, intensified by climate change; The world is drying out, threatening humanity's supply of fresh water; PLUS: Acting NASA Administrator wants the agency to give up climate science --- despite NASA's statutory mandate... All that and more in today's Green News Report!

AI Proves Social Media Is Destroying Us | Karel Cast 25-112 AI just confirmed what we already feared: social media is toxic by design. Platforms aren’t about connection — they’re echo chambers of rage, built to make us hate-scroll, click ads, and consume endless misinformation. Even more shocking? Scientists tested a social media network made entirely of bots. They tried fixes like chronological feeds, flagging, and more. The results were horrifying — rage, division, and chaos spread no matter what. Add to that Russia’s ongoing disinformation war (with MAGA as their prime audience), and the dangers of these platforms become crystal clear. Meanwhile, many liberals feel trapped in a USA they don’t recognize, but remain docile instead of revolting. Why? Have people given up hope for change? Plus, it’s Pet Peeve Day — let’s talk about the little things that drive us crazy. 🔥 Join me on today’s episode of The Karel Cast as we dig into the AI experiments, the broken promise of social media, and why America feels so stuck. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe — and support the show at patreon.com/reallykarel. #AISocialMedia, #SocialMediaToxic, #Misinformation, #EchoChamber, #RussiaDisinformation, #MAGA, #PoliticalCommentary, #UnfilteredTruth, #KarelCast, #DigitalAddiction, #HateScrolling, #OnlineRage, #AlgorithmBias, #AIExperiment, #SocialMediaCrisis, #PetPeeves, #PoliticalDivide, #WakeUpCall, #TechAndSociety, #LikeAndSubscribe

This time on Code WACK! What if California, Oregon, and Washington joined forces to win federal approval for universal, single-payer healthcare? Could a united West Coast shift the balance of power in America’s healthcare debate? To find out, we recently spoke with Michael Lighty, president of the single payer advocacy coalition Healthy California Now. Michael ’s a founding fellow of the Sanders Institute, and he was healthcare constituency director for the Bernie 2020 campaign. Most recently, he co-wrote and was a leader in the successful campaign to enact California’s Senate Bill 770, a critical step toward negotiating the federal waivers the Golden State needs to build a universal, publicly financed healthcare system. Join us as we explore how these three states are moving to collaborate toward a common goal — and why this could be a game-changer for patients, politics, and policy nationwide. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

Hurricane Erin already setting records; Climate change drove record levels of global humidity in 2024, with 2025 breathing down its neck; Deadly rains in Pakistan, deadly Nordic heatwave, both supercharged by human-caused global warming; PLUS: U.N. talks to curb plastic production collapse, with oil-producing nations (like the U.S.) refusing to limit plastic production... All that and more in today's Green News Report!

Entertainment Is Broken: Why TV, Movies, and Radio Have Lost Their Soul | Karel Cast 25-112 The entertainment industry is collapsing under its own weight. • MSNBC is rebranding to MS NOW (My Source: News, Opinion, World) — but who asked for this? Certainly not viewers. This is another corporate boardroom decision with zero connection to the audience. • Streaming services keep raising prices while serving us endless hours of junk. Quality TV has become so rare we treat it like a miracle when it actually happens. • Movie studios are stuck on repeat — recycling old franchises, rebooting classics, and chasing box office dollars while abandoning originality and star-making magic. • Radio? Dying even faster, as corporations fight to control more stations in each market, suffocating creativity and local voices. We spend billions of dollars and millions of hours consuming “content,” but what happened to entertainment? Why has it lost its way? And what needs to change? 🔥 Join me on today’s episode of The Karel Cast as we dig into the corporate greed, the creative bankruptcy, and the fight to save entertainment before it’s too late. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe — and support the show at patreon.com/reallykarel. The Karel Cast is live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and available on all major streaming platforms. #EntertainmentIndustry, #StreamingWars, #HollywoodProblems, #MovieStudios, #TVStreaming, #RadioDecline, #CorporateGreed, #MediaCollapse, #ContentVsArt, #HollywoodReboots, #EntertainmentNews, #KarelCast, #UnfilteredTruth, #MediaCommentary, #TVShows, #Movies, #MusicIndustry, #StreamingCosts, #CreativeBankruptcy, #LikeAndSubscribe https://youtube.com/live/WHMyJq0uL8w

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Robert Benson, D.Phil., Associate Director for National Security and International Policy at American Progress. The two breakdown Trump's summit with Putin, where he failed to secure a peace deal to end Russia's war with Ukraine. Then, Brad is joined by Tara Devlin, host of the podcast, 'TARABUSTER.' The pair exposes Trump and the GOP's hypocrisy as they deploy the National Guard to Washington D.C. with the excuse of stopping violent crime, yet they are the same people who pardoned those who violently assaulted Capitol Police Officers right in Washington D.C. on January 6th. They also discuss California Governor Gavin Newsom's efforts to nullify Trump led efforts to gerrymander Texas congressional districts, with the goal of gaining GOP house seats, by doing the same in California, in order to gain Democratic House seats to balance things out. The website for American Progress is http://www.AmericanProgress.org and their handle on BlueSky is @americanprogress.bsky.social. Robert's handle is @robertbenson92.bsky.social. Tara Devlin is a New York City based comedian, writer, and host of the unapologetically-liberal podcast "TARABUSTER.” Tarabuster is 5-star viewer-reviewed and 100% viewer-supported. Help keep the REAL liberal media going – and growing – by becoming a Patron of Tarabuster at Patreon.com/TaraDevlin. You can follow Tara on BlueSky at @tarabuster.bsky.social and on Instagram at @Taradackty. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

Being human means being conflicted — and today I’m tackling two issues that have me torn. First: SNAP benefits may soon exclude snack foods, sodas, and chips. On one hand, we face an obesity crisis and need healthier choices. On the other, should poor people be policed on what they can eat while the wealthy buy whatever they want? Second: Algorithms are shaping how we see race. Why do viral videos often show Black people “acting out,” while similar (or worse) white content isn’t pushed as widely? Is the algorithm racist — and reinforcing dangerous stereotypes? Being a liberal, being human, means wrestling with contradictions. I’ll share my thoughts, where I’m conflicted, and what I’m absolutely clear on. ✨ Support The Karel Cast at patreon.com/reallykarel 📺 Watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel 🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Spreaker, and everywhere podcasts stream. #KarelCast, #LiberalPodcast, #ProgressiveTalk, #SNAPBenefits, #FoodStamps, #ObesityCrisis, #FoodJustice, #PoorPeoplesRights, #VeganLife, #SocialJustice, #RacialBias, #AlgorithmRacism, #BlackVoicesMatter, #MediaBias, #EqualityForAll, #HumanStruggles, #ProgressivePolitics, #LasVegasPodcast, #PodcastCommunity, #IndependentMedia https://youtube.com/live/q_kYeFYavYY

Leslie welcomes back Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, for an in-depth look at four timely topics shaping the global economy and American industry. They break down China’s worsening economic crisis and what it means for global markets, and unpack the latest developments in U.S. tariff negotiations with key trading partners. The pair also highlights practical Made-in-America products perfect for outfitting a dorm room or first apartment, and finally, explores how programs like Manufacturing USA and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership are fueling innovation, strengthening supply chains, and creating good-paying jobs here at home. AAM's website is AmericanManufacturing.org and their YouTube channel is youtube.com/@AmericanMfg (where you can watch episode's of AAM's podcast, "The Manufacturing Report") If you want to listen to episodes of "The Manufacturing Report," visit AmericanManufacturing.org/Podcast. Their handles on X and BlueSky are @KeepItMadeInUSA, and @keepitmadeinusa.bsky.social, respectively. Scott's handle on X is @ScottPaulAAM. (Image Credit: Hill Street Studios via Getty Images)

Should Trump Represent Earth to Aliens? First Contact in 2025? | Karel Cast What if humanity’s first meeting with extraterrestrial life happened next year — and Donald Trump was the one to represent us? With the interstellar object 3I Atlas heading our way in November, passing close to Jupiter, Mars, and even Earth, some scientists speculate it could be more than just space debris. Could it be a probe from another civilization? And if so… are we ready for first contact? Should Trump be humanity’s ambassador, or would that be a cosmic catastrophe waiting to happen? Could his actions trigger an intergalactic disaster — or is that exactly why “they” sent it in the first place? Plus, your weekend entertainment wrap-up: from Dexter to Weapons, we’ve got the must-watch picks. 🔥 Uncensored. Unfiltered. Unhinged. This is The Karel Cast — where we talk about the stories others won’t touch. 👍 Like, Subscribe, and hit the bell to stay ahead of the conversation. 💬 Do you think 3I Atlas is just a rock… or something more?

This time on Code WACK! Why are some Americans choosing to go off the health insurance grid? For Lani Gonzales, entrepreneur and hypnotherapist, it was the mounting frustration with denials, delays … and ultimately being dropped by her health insurer through no fault of her own. So instead of reapplying she walked away—and pieced together a system for herself. Combining medical tourism, concierge medicine, a health share and even reclaiming her Philippine citizenship, Lani took an unconventional route to take control of her health care. What drove her to make these radical changes—and what can we learn from her journey? This is the second episode in a two-part series.

Are You Time Traveling In Your Sleep? The Science of Precognitive Dreams | Karel Cast 25-110 What if your dreams aren’t just random stories — what if they’re messages from your future? There’s mounting scientific evidence that precognition is real. From gut feelings that come true to vivid dreams that predict events, researchers are exploring whether our consciousness might be “time traveling” — entangling on a quantum level with our future selves. Could your brain be receiving information from the future while you sleep? What if your dreams aren’t just random stories — what if they’re messages from your future? There’s mounting scientific evidence that precognition is real. From gut feelings that come true to vivid dreams that predict events, researchers are exploring whether our consciousness might be “time traveling” — entangling on a quantum level with our future selves. Could your brain be receiving information from the future while you sleep? Meanwhile, Donald Trump now has his own “brown shirts” — the National Guard — being deployed in ways they were never meant to be used. Why is Congress letting it happen? And is this all just part of a bigger distraction from what really matters? 🔥 Uncensored. Unfiltered. Unhinged. This is The Karel Cast — where bold ideas meet hard truths. 👍 Like, Subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss a moment. 💬 Drop your thoughts — do you believe in precognitive dreams, or is it all coincidence?

The Real Enemy of the People? Congress Exposed | Karel Cast 25-109 From Roe v. Wade to Gay Marriage, our rights are hanging by a thread — and the real culprit isn’t just the Supreme Court or Donald Trump… it’s Congress. In this fiery episode of The Karel Cast, we break down how decades of Congressional inaction have allowed our rights to be stripped, our climate to collapse, and our democracy to erode. Why didn’t Congress codify Roe v. Wade? Why didn’t they protect marriage equality? Why are budgets unbalanced, and why is the climate crisis ignored? Presidents come and go — but Congress’ dysfunction is the constant enemy of progress. 🔥 Uncensored. Unfiltered. Unhinged. This is The Karel Cast. 👍 Like, Subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss the truth the mainstream won’t say. 💬 Drop your thoughts — is Congress the real enemy of the people?

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Tim Karr, Senior of Director of Strategy and Communications at 'Free Press,' a nonpartisan organization fighting for your rights to connect and communicate. The pair examines the increasingly disturbing trend of the mainstream media's capitulation to Trump and his administration. This includes a discussion on Free Press's newly created 'Media Capitulation Index,' and a report that Tim authored on the way forward. It's titled, "A More Perfect Media: Saving America’s Fourth Estate from Billionaires, Broligarchy and Trump." Then, Brad is joined by Hadar Susskind, President and CEO of 'The New Jewish Narrative." The organization's mission statement identifies their members as "American Jews, deeply rooted in the story of our people and the history of our struggle for peace and justice. In our narrative, peace and justice are the birthright of Israelis, of Palestinians, and of all people." The two discuss the increasingly dire situation in Gaza, where the United Nation's Humanitarian Affairs Office says that food consumption has "declined to its lowest level since the onset of the war." They report that "nearly 90% of households have resorted to extremely severe coping mechanisms to feed themselves, including taking significant risks to obtain food and scavenging from garbage." Gaza health authorities also report that over 200 people have died of starvation since the war began 22 months ago, and that nearly half of them were children. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social. (Image Credit: Free Press)

After Over 2000 Years Restaurants Are Dying | Karel Cast 25-109 For over 2,000 years, restaurants have been places to connect, celebrate, and explore new flavors — from ancient Greek taverns to Parisian cafés. But today, America’s dining scene is in crisis. In the first half of 2025, restaurants and bars saw one of the weakest six-month sales periods in a decade. Food costs are up over 20% since 2021, and some of my favorite spots have lost more than 30% of their business. What’s causing the collapse? Inflation, shifting habits… or Donald Trump’s economy? If restaurants vanish, it’s not just about losing convenience — it’s about losing a core piece of our culture, history, and daily life. Join me as I break down the history of restaurants, why they matter, and what it means if they disappear. Are we watching our way of life erode right in front of us? 🔥 Uncensored. Unfiltered. Unhinged. This is The Karel Cast — streaming live Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM PST on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. 💬 Share your thoughts in the comments. 👍 Like, Subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode. 💖 Support the show at patreon.com/reallykarel. #KarelCast, #RestaurantCrisis, #FoodCulture, #EconomicCollapse, #DiningOut, #RestaurantHistory, #DonaldTrumpEconomy, #FoodCosts, #Inflation2025, #SupportLocalRestaurants, #EatLocal, #HospitalityIndustry, #RestaurantDecline, #CulturalLoss, #EconomicImpact, #Foodies, #LunchOut, #DiningCulture, #SaveRestaurants, #EconomicReality https://youtube.com/live/RwhkS3tH7jQ

🐶 Why Are Americans So Anti-Dog in Public? | Karel Cast 25-108 Dogs at the grocery store? Farmer’s market? Restaurant? In other countries, it’s normal. In America, it’s a problem. But why? Today on the Karel Cast, we unpack a viral story out of San Francisco where people are outraged over well-behaved dogs being allowed in public spaces. Yet, research shows dogs lower stress, aid healing, and enhance well-being in hospitals and nursing homes. So why is the U.S. so obsessed with banning them from everyday places? Is this about health and safety—or just good ol’ American overreaction? Plus, we look at what’s hot in entertainment this weekend and get you ready to unwind (maybe with your dog by your side). 🎙️ Unfiltered. Unapologetic. Unleashed. It’s the Karel Cast. 💥 Support the show at patreon.com/reallykarel 📺 Subscribe now at youtube.com/reallykarel 📱 Watch daily on TikTok, Instagram, and stream on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, and more! #dogs, #dogfriendly, #dogsoftiktok, #publicspaces, #americansociety, #petparent, #dogsarefamily, #karelcast, #animalrights, #petpolicy, #serviceanimals, #doglover, #dogculture, #viralnews, #sanfrancisconews, #weekendvibes, #popculturetalk, #mentalhealth, #petsinpublic, #entertainmentnews https://youtube.com/live/BcwfH37_06g

Nations gather in Geneva to again confront the global crisis of plastic pollution; Trump EPA moves to claw back billions in community grants for rooftop solar; PLUS: As energy costs rise, Trump Administration escalates its war on cheap renewable energy... All that and more in today's Green News Report!

What would you do if your health insurer suddenly dropped you—and the care you needed cost thousands out of pocket? That’s what happened to Lani Gonzales, a former attorney from Florida who thought she understood contracts—until she came face-to-face with America’s broken healthcare system. After experiencing medical debt and being denied coverage for vital health treatments, Lani asked herself: Why keep playing a game that’s rigged against me? Her search for affordable, compassionate care led her across the border to Mexico – and to some surprising lessons about what health care in America could look like. This is the first episode in a two-part series with Lani.